A study and interactive map launched by New York University Stern Business School's Center for Business and Human Rights in December 2015 reported that there are more than 7,000 garment factories in Bangladesh producing for the global fashion industry, 65% more than previous estimates.  

On 11 February 2016, Mark Anner of Pennsylvania State Univ. and Jennifer Bair of Univ. of Colorado issued a critique of the Stern Center report; NYU Stern Center responded on 13 February.  Six additional scholars wrote to NYU Stern Center on 18 February over the Stern Center's "failure to engage the criticisms" of Professors Anner and Blair; NYU Stern Center responded on 26 February.